Turn-table more especially suitable for transferring casks from one chute or rolling track to another.



M0,. (33,584. PATENTED JULY 14, 1903. I

E. HOFFMANN'. TURN TABLE MORE ESPECIALLY SUITABLE FOR TRANSPERRING OASKS PROM ONE OHUTE; OR ROLLING TRACK TO ANOTHER.

APPLLOATION rump ma. 7, 1903.

no MODEL.

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w-rnamuays Patented July 14, 190.

PATENT OFFIcE,

EMIL HOFFMANN, F PFIEDDERSHEIM,

NEAR WORMS, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO FILTER dz BRAUTECIINISCHE MASOHINEN- FABRIK AKT. GES. VOR MALS L. A. ENZINGER, OF PFEDDERSHEIM, NEAR WORMS, GERMANY.

TURN-TABLE MORE ESPECIALLY SUITABLE FOR TRANSFERRING eAsks FROM 0N1: CRUTE 0R ROLLING I TRACK TO ANOTHER;

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 733,584, dated July 14, 1903.

Application filed Mmh 7, 1903.,

T 0 (tZZ whmn it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMIL HOFFMANN, director, of Pfeddersheim, near Worms, in the Empire of Germany, have invented a certain new and useful Improved Turn-Table More Especially Suitable for Transferring Oasks from One Chute or Rolling Track to Another, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates to turn-tables or like devices and more especially relates to a devices for changing the direction of rolling casks and the like.

In breweries and like factories where a I 5 number of casks are used or handled they are often allowed to travel by gravity from one part of the factory to another, rails or chutes being employed to guide the casks in their travel.

The object of the present invention is to provide a turn-table or like device which is capable of automatically transferring a cask from onetrack of rails or a chute to another at an angle thereto or to a predetermined one of a number arranged at various angles thereto.

The invention consists in providing at the termination of the one rail track or chute a turn-table or crane-like device which is fitted with rails and retarding devices for re- 0 ceiving a cask in such a manner that the momentum of the retarded cask is imparted to the crane-like turn-table and causes the latter to move on its pivot and bring the cask opposite to the desired track, where the retardin g devices are arranged to automatically release the cask, which travels along the track in the desired new direction. The crane-like turn-table is then adapted to automatically return to its normal position opposite the main 0 track ready to receive another cask.

The invention further consists in arranging an adjustable stop or number of such devices for arresting the turn-table opposite the desired track or one of a number of tracks, as

hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation with parts in section. Fig. 2 is a seminaievos. (NomodelJ view taken at right angles to Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view. Y

In carrying out the invention according to e one mo(lificationas, for example, in the ap plioation of two tracks at right anglesa crane-like pivoted turn-table k is arranged at the termination of the one track 1', down which the casks g arrive. It comprises a bracket 5 5 or pair of brackets for carrying a short length of track 8, upon which the cask is received and supported. The bracket is supported from a vertical post or stanchion, upon which it is carried by means of ball or other anti- 6:: friction bearings. The bracket thus resembles a small crane and is free to swing from one position to another, so as to present its short length of track first tothe main track and then to the branch track, and vice versa. It is normally held in continuity with the main track by means of aspring f, arranged either externally or internally within the crane-post or around the same. The extremity of the short length of track carried by the turn-table is fitted with two pawls 0r retaining devices 72, adapted to normally stand erect in order to arrest the onrnshing cask g and prevent the same rolling oif during the turning of the table. These pawls or devices are adapted to be automatically lowered when the table swings around opposite to the branch track to enable the cask to roll onto the same and continue its journey;

In operation a cask rolls .down the main track or chute, runs onto the table, where it is arrested by the pawls above mentioned. The momentum of the cask when thus arrested causes the table to swing around the post, bringing its short length of track in alinement with the branch track. A stop a arranged in the path of the table engages a short lever or locking device cl on the end of the shaft carrying the arresting-pawls. The shaft is thereby rotated, the pawls hare lowered, and the cask rolls off the table onto and along the branch track. Immediately after the cask has left the table the latter is returned by its sprin g f, preferably coiled about the shaft, to its initial position ready to re ceive another cask. The returning movement of the table releases the lever or locking device d on the end of the pawl-shaft from the stop before referred to, and a spring freturns the pawls h to the upright position. The stop not only operates the pawls, but may serve to arrest thetable, so that in applying the invention to a case where two or more branch tracks are employed the table may be stopped opposite any predetermined track by accordingly adjusting the position of the stop or by providing a stop for each track, means being provided for operating the stop or stops as required. The short length of track on the table is preferably arranged so as to be inclined toward the branch track when opposite the same, and the pawls may form a continuation thereof in order to guide the cask onto the track.

The improved turn-table is entirely automatic in its action, depending for movement simply upon the momentum of the onrushing cask, returning into its initial position under the action of the spring or equivalent after each transference of a cask. Casks may thus be continually transferred without interruption so long as a slight interval is left between each cask.

The details of construction may obviously be varied to suit the differing type or dimension of track or chute or cask for which it is to be designed.

I claim 1. An automatic turn-table for transferring casks and like traveling bodies, from one inclined track or chute to another, comprising a pivoted cask-support disposed at the termination of the one track, normally in alinement therewith, projecting devices on the support for arresting an onrushing cask and automatic means for lowering said arresting devices when the support with the cask thereon has, by the momentum imparted to it by the cask, been swung around opposite another track, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. An automatic turn-table for transferring casks and like trai'eling bodies from one inclined track or chute to another, comprising a pivoted cask-support disposed at the termination of the one track normally in alinement therewith, projecting devices on the support for arresting the onrushing cask,

automatic means for lowering said arresting devices when the support with the cask there on has swung around opposite another track and springs for returning the arresting devices and the cask-support to their initial positions, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. An automatic turn-table for transferring casks and like traveling bodies from one inclined track or chute to another, comprising a pivoted cask-support situated at the termination of the one track, such support consisting of a bracket, supported on a vertical post and fitted with antifriction-bearings thereon, a short length of track-on said bracket and movable projections on said track for arrest-ing an onrushing cask substantially as and for the purposes described.

4. An automatic turn-table for transferring casks and like traveling bodies from one inclined track or chute to another, comprising a bracket supported on a vertical post, antifriction-bearings therefor, a short length of track on said bracket, pawls on the bracket for arresting an onrushing cask, automatic means for depressing said paw s when the bracket with the cask thereon has swung around opposite another track, means such as a spring for raising said pawls after delivery of the cask and means such as a spring for returning the bracket or turn-table to its initial position, substantially as setforth.

5. An automatic turn-table for transferring easks and like traveling bodies from one inclined track or chute to another, comprising a bracket supported on a vertical post, a11tifrictionbearings therefor, a short length of track on said bracket, pawls on the bracket for arresting an onrushing cask, a shaft carrying said pawls, a detent on the end of said shaft, a pivoted bell-crank lever engaging therewith and adapted, when engaged by a fixed stop, to release said detent and allow said pawls to fall, a spring for returning said pawls and a spring for returning the turntable to its initial position, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

EMIL HOFFMANN.

Witnesses:

JACOB ADRIAN, H. W. HARRIS. 

